I love to cook, experiment, try new foods and restaurants. As a coeliac this is often a little difficult. There is the converting recipes that you have used for years, to be GF friendly. Eating out somewhere new, or even with a new chef, it's either a great night or a huge pain in the belly! I hope you enjoy my recipes, stories and adventures of my life as a coeliac.

Wednesday, 18 May 2011

A Belated Birthday Toast

It's been a week and a day since I started writing this blog! I wanted to say a massive thank you to all my fantastic readers! When I started this blog I thought it might reach a few people but I have been completely overwhelmed! In a week I've had a little over 400 people read my blog! And not only that you come from many different countries. So a big thank you for reading to my readers from; Australia, America, Germany, Denmark, Malaysia, Greece, Ireland, Canada and Singapore!!!! Apologies if you are reading from a country which I haven't mentioned but and advanced thank you to you!

I would love for my readers to let me know what access to gluten free food is like in your country, or your town, whats your dining experience been like and did you have similar problems to me before or indeed after you were diagnosed?

For my overseas readers I understand that the restaurants that feature in my 'Restaurant of the week' aren't of any use to you unless you are travelling to Australia (which would of course be fantastic and highly recommended). So I thought it would be great if you would share with me a restaurant in your city/town, in your country (you can email me and I won't share you identity if you don't want to, only your country). With your help I can create a blog that provides people who are on a gluten free diet, safe places to eat when they are overseas. I haven't had the opportunity to travel overseas AD (after diagnosis) but I know that's something that would worry me, the puffer fish emerging and ruining my holiday!

For my faithful Aussie readers, I know that you come from all over this vast country, so the same thing for you. Send me an email of a favourite restaurant or just somewhere that you have been that has been accomdating to your dietary needs, email me the details and I'll feature it in 'Restaurant of the week'.

Also readers this blog isn't just for me, it's for you too, the reason why I started writing was to provide people with an honest encounter of my life as a coeliac to let people know they are not alone in their plight and to also provide a resource for readers that shares recipes and restaurants etc. So let me know what you would like to see or read more of and I'll to my best to accommodate your suggestions.
I'm new to the blogging world and I am in the process of making the blog more user friendly and also making following me easier to do. I've had reports from several readers that they have been unable to follow me or to successfully write a comment. As soon as I get a few things figured out and up and running (I may be calling on the assistance of some very good computer savy friends) I will put a posting up that walks you through step by step how to follow me and how to write a comment. I am also in the process of setting up a Facebook page for the Blog and I will keep you posted when that's up and running!

So once again thank you for reading, if you are liking what you are reading or I have helped you in some way, pass the blog details on to your friends who you think will like it. And finally it's our belated birthday and as we can't all party together have a celebratory glass of red, white, beer, spirits, tea, coffee (whatever floats your boat) tonight. Though for those who like beer or scotch etc, be mindful that anything made with malt has gluten in it, not a fun thing for lovers of these drinks (not only can't you eat so many other things, but your favourite drink has gluten in it too!!!) Enjoy whatever you have, maybe even cook up one of my recipes (today's recipe is so easy and sooo yummmmyyy!!!) to have with your drink.

I look forward to hearing from you with all the details of those restaurants overseas and throughout Australia!!

Recipe of the DayPopcorn puddingRecipe is from the Gluten Free Bible by Jacki PassmoreThis recipe is so easy and so very yummy! It doesn't taste much like popcorn at all. I made it to take to the in-laws for desert, and picked this recipe as everything that was needed to make it was in my cupboard or fridge. I wasn't quite sure how it would taste but everyone loved it, all plates were left without a crumb! It doesn't look that appetising but it tastes wonderful.